Topic Contents

Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy

Test Overview

A bone marrow
biopsy removes a small amount of bone and a small
amount of fluid and cells from inside the bone (bone marrow). A
bone marrow aspiration removes only the marrow. These tests are often done to
find the reason for many blood disorders and may be used to find out if cancer
or infection has spread to the bone marrow.

Bone marrow aspiration
removes a small amount of bone marrow fluid and cells through a needle put into
a bone. The bone marrow fluid and cells are checked for problems with any of
the blood cells made in the bone marrow. Cells can be checked for chromosome
problems. Cultures can also be done to look for infection.

A bone marrow biopsy removes bone with the
marrow inside to look at under a microscope. The aspiration (taking fluid) is
usually done first, and then the biopsy.

A bone marrow aspiration can also be done to collect bone
marrow for medical procedures, such as
stem cell transplant or
chromosomal analysis. For a stem cell transplant, bone
marrow aspiration will be done at several places on the body (generally from
the back of the pelvic bone) to remove enough bone marrow cells for the
transplant to work.

Check to see if a known cancer, such as
Hodgkin's lymphoma or
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, has spread to the bone marrow. This is part of what is called
staging. It is done to find out if the cancer has
spread and how much it has spread. This helps plan cancer treatment.

Find infections or tumors that may start in or spread to
the bone marrow. If you have an infection, a
culture and sensitivity test of the bone marrow sample
may be used to find out which
antibiotics will work best to treat the
infection.

Find the best treatment for a bone marrow problem. Once
treatment has been started, a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy may be done to
see if the leukemia cells are gone, which means the treatment is
working.

Collect a sample of bone marrow for medical procedures,
such as stem cell transplantation or chromosomal analysis.

How To Prepare

You will be asked to sign a consent
form that says you understand the risks of the test and agree to have it done.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about the need for the
aspiration or biopsy, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may
mean. To help you understand the importance of the biopsy, fill out the
medical test information form(What is a PDF document?).

You may need to take off
all or most of your clothes, depending on what part of the body the biopsy or
aspiration is taken from. If needed, you will be given a gown to use during the
biopsy.

During the test

Blood samples from a vein in your arm may be taken before
the bone marrow biopsy. In rare cases, you may be given a blood product
(clotting factor or platelets) into a vein (IV) in your arm
to prevent bleeding after the biopsy.

Adults usually have a sample
of bone marrow fluid taken from the back of the pelvic bone. In rare cases a
fluid sample is removed from the breastbone (sternum) or from the
front of the pelvic bone. Babies and young children may have the sample taken
from the front of the lower leg bone, just below the knee. A bone marrow biopsy
is only taken from the pelvic bone.

You may be given a sedative to
help you relax. You will lie either on your side or facedown on your belly
for the biopsy. It is important that you lie still in that position during the
biopsy.

The skin over the aspiration site will be cleaned
with a special solution and a medicine (local anesthetic) will be used to numb the area. Then the aspiration needle
will be put through your skin and into your bone to reach the bone marrow. You
need to lie very still while the sample is taken. The needle is then taken out.
More than one sample may be needed, possibly from more than one place on your
body, such as from both sides of the pelvic bone.

A bone marrow biopsy uses a special tool that twists
into the bone. It is normal to feel pressure at the site and hear a crunching
sound as the tool twists into the bone.

After the samples have
been taken, pressure is put on the site to stop any bleeding. A bandage is put
on the area.

How It Feels

This procedure may be painful, but only for a few seconds. You may feel a sharp sting and burn when
the anesthetic numbs your skin over the aspiration or biopsy site. You may hear
a crunching sound and feel pressure and some pain when the needle enters the
bone. During an aspiration, you
may feel a quick, shooting pain down your leg as the sample is taken.

The biopsy site may feel
stiff or sore for several days after the biopsy. You may have a bruise on the
site.

Risks

Serious problems from a bone marrow aspiration
or biopsy are not common. Problems may include:

Bleeding from the biopsy site. People with
bleeding problems have a higher chance for this. If you have bleeding problems,
pressure will be put on the biopsy site for at least 10 minutes after the
biopsy. In rare cases, you may be given a blood product (clotting factor or
platelets) in a vein in your arm before the biopsy to prevent bleeding after
the biopsy.

Injury to your heart, a lung, or a major blood
vessel if the sample is taken from the breastbone (sternum). This complication
is very rare. Samples are not often taken from the breastbone, so most people
do not have to worry about this risk.

After the biopsy

You will lie down for 30 to 60
minutes after the biopsy so the site can be checked for bleeding. If you had a sedative, you will need someone to
drive you home after the biopsy.

You may feel sore at the biopsy
site for several days. Ice packs to the site and walking can be used to help you feel better. Ask your doctor if you can take pain medicine, such
as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

Call your doctor immediately if you have:

More tenderness, pain, redness, or swelling
at the biopsy site.

A fever.

Bleeding or drainage, such
as pus, from the biopsy site. If you are bleeding, put pressure on the site and
call your doctor.

Results

A
bone marrow aspiration and
biopsy removes a small amount of bone and a small
amount of fluid and cells from inside the bone (bone marrow). It is often done
to find the reason for many blood disorders and may be used to find out if
cancer or infection has spread to the bone marrow.

Biopsy results
are usually ready in 1 to 7 days. But it may take several weeks to get the results if genetic tests are done on the sample. The bone is put into a solution that breaks down its
calcium before it is stained. The bone marrow sample is often treated with
special dyes (stains) to see any changes in the blood cells more
clearly.

Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration

Normal:

The marrow has normal amounts of fat,
connective tissue, and iron. Normal numbers of both mature and immature
(growing) bone marrow cells are present.

Cancer cells, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or
multiple myeloma, are seen.

The bone marrow has been replaced by scar
tissue.

Normal bone marrow in one site does not mean that all
sites in the body are normal.

What Affects the Test

You may not be able to
have the test if you can't be still during the procedure.

Sometimes not enough bone marrow fluid is collected in a
bone marrow aspiration. This is called a dry tap. If this happens, a biopsy to
obtain bone marrow tissue is usually done.

What To Think About

If you have an infection, a
culture and sensitivity test of the bone marrow sample
can be done. If the infection is caused by a bacteria or fungus, the
sensitivity test will show which
antibiotics will work best to treat the
infection.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.